Last month, Ruth Fogel, 35, and Udi Fogel, 36, together with three of their children, were murdered by terrorists as they slept in their home on Shabbat."Today it was my sad duty, but also my honor, to visit the parents of Ruth Fogel z"l, who was tragically murdered together with her husband Udi and their children, 11-year-old Yoav, four-year-old Elad, and three-month-old Hadas. I was there to deliver thousands of letters from people around the world who wanted to give their support to the family. It is clear this will be a devastating Passover for the family, and we wanted to give them some comfort and strength via a show of support from people around the world," said StandWithUs Israel Director Michael Dickson.The messages included a heartfelt letter from Dr. Denis McEoin, a non-Jewish friend of Israel from the UK, to Tamar, the Fogels’ 12-year-old daughter, who was orphaned together with her eight-year-old and two-year-old brothers. The letter was was signed by hundreds of people.

In his letter Dr. McEoin wrote, "We have never met, nor are we likely to. I am not a Jew nor an Israeli, though for many years I have defended both Jews and Israelis from the physical and political attacks that are made on them.…I saw a video in which you spoke to a reporter and your tears gave way to a most articulate, awesomely mature, and moving assertion of your right to live in Samaria. I wish every Palestinian could watch that video with an Arabic voice-over. Perhaps there and then they might see that their fight against Israel is worthless, that you will never surrender, that you will not let yourselves be led to the slaughter.…By living, you make clear to everyone that the People of Israel live, that their light will not be snuffed out, and that when your enemies have gone to dust and seen a darkness beyond measure engulf them, the light of the Jews will illuminate the nations. Grow and be happy and tell us what you see on your journey."

Rabbi Yehuda Ben Ishai, Ruth's father and grandfather to the late Yoav, Elad, and baby Hadas, expressed his thanks to all those who had written and supported both the family and Israel in this difficult time. He wanted as many people as possible to hear about and learn from what happened. He praised Ruth and Udi as gentle, kind people who had never done anyone harm and always expressed a desire that Am Yisrael – the people of Israel – stay strong. "They were strong and would want this to bring us all together and strengthen us. The response we have had from people everywhere shows that is what is happening," he said. May G-d bring comfort to the Fogel family. You can watch a memorial video, "We Remember the Fogel Family," here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzJAh-RQnMA.

Pictured: StandWithUs Israel Director Michael Dickson, together with Rabbi Yehuda Ben Ishai, father of Ruth Fogel z"l at his home